A disgruntled supporter of former mayor Adrian Fenty on Wednesday initiated recall proceedings against current Mayor Vincent Gray and D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown.
Political activist Frederick Butler filed a notice of intent to recall Gray and Brown on Wednesday morning, saying that they have "betrayed the public trust." Both are facing federal investigations for campaign activities.
The paperwork outlines the reasons why Butler believes Gray and Brown should be recalled, according to the Associated Press. Gray and Brown will have 10 days to submit a response outlining why they feel they should stay in office.
After that, Butler will have 180 days to collect signatures of at least 10 percent of registered voters in the District of Columbia -- more than 45,000 people. The petition also must contain signatures of at least 10 percent of the voters in at least five of the city's eight election wards.
No one has ever submitted sufficient petitions to recall a mayor or councilmember in the District, according to the AP.
Gray released the following statement today on the recall effort:
"My focus remains where it should, with the work the citizens of the District elected me to do. During my campaign for Mayor, I promised voters that I would focus on growing the economy, putting people back to work, fixing our schools, improving public safety, and getting the District back on a firm financial footing, and that’s exactly what I will continue doing. Just last month the Census confirmed that D.C. was now the most desirable place to live in the United States, I intend to keep it that way."
For more information on the recall process in the District, click here.
